It Takes a Village – Brian Haynes
28 Aug
Reading through the latest issue of Children’s Ministry Magazine, it didn’t take me long to find a brief article from Brian Haynes. Brian is the associate pastor overseeing spiritual formation at Kingsland Baptist Church and he’s the author of the book Shift.
I’m on the lookout for what Brian has to say about Family Ministry primarily because I agree with his thoughts on the topic. Particularly his stance that Family Ministry is not merely an arm of ministry within a church. I believe the terms he used in his tweet were,
“It’s not an appendage.”
I think I retweeted that a few times.
Brian’s article in CM Mag entitled “It Takes a Village” he addresses the danger of swinging from one side of the pendulum to the next.
“For years, the church has been the primary source of discipleship. But lately God has been helping local church leaders restore balance to the spiritual-formation process… a 24/7 approach in which families take the lead.”
But too much emphasis on the family, we risk making an idol of the family. An interesting thought. One I agree with.
The challenge of focusing so much on the family means we risk isolating it from the rest of the church community. Then the ministry does become an ‘appendage’ that operates independent of other areas of ministry.
“We’re all disciple-makers, Jesus says. It doesn’t matter if we’re single, married, parents, grandparents, college students, or empty-nesters. We’re all disciple-makers if we truly follow Christ.”
Though Brian makes several great points in his brief article, this is the one I honed in on. Because I believe there is value in a discipleship culture. And by ‘discipleship’ I don’t mean a great variety of programming full of bible studies, seminars and intensive support groups. I would argue the long term effectiveness of this approach. I’m not game for that.
When I think of a ‘discipleship culture’ I imagine a culture that effectively draws one generation to pour into the next generation… formally through church programming (i.e. weekend services) and informally through community (i.e. doing life together outside the walls of the church building). No matter what stage in life, you have something to contribute to the body of Christ and you’re in the constant mode of investment.
Anywho… those are my thoughts. You should grab your copy and read for yourself on page 44. Then come back here and share your thoughts. They may be totally different than mine… and equally as valid.
Btw… if you’ve not yet read Brian’s book Shift, you should. It belongs on every kidmin leader’s bookshelf. Just sayin’.
